Microfinance for Women and Farmers Gaza is believed to rely on tunnels to meet 40% of its construction materials supply. As reported by OCHA, 1,052 On 11 September the Arab Center for Agricultural truckloads (or 67,000 tonnes) of construction materials Development (ACAD), a Palestinian microfinance institution, 11 signed a $5.3m equity agreement with the European entered Gaza on a monthly basis, prior to the closure. The Portland Trust Investment Bank (EIB), the French social investment During the first week of November, the UN had to disrupt company Solidarité Internationale pour le Développement works on 19 out of 20 of its building projects in Gaza after et l’Investissement (SIDI), the Grameen Crédit Agricole Israel banned imports of construction materials into Gaza.12 Microfinance Foundation (GCAMF) and the Amsterdam- The ban came after the discovery of a 1.8 km long tunnel PALESTINIAN ECONOMIC BULLETIN based investment management firm Triple Jump.9 Funding running from Gaza Strip into Israel on 13 October, which came from ACAD ($3m), the EIB ($1m), SIDI ($0.5m), GCAMF raised security concerns. As the Bulletin went to print ($0.5m) and Triple Jump ($0.3m). The EIB is making its first OCHA reported that “the total halt in the transfer of basic Palestinian Private Sector Economic Initiative financial contribution to support a microfinance institution in Issue 86 construction materials (primarily cement, steel bars and A number of Palestinian business leaders have begun implementation of a private Palestine, and will also provide technical assistance. aggregate) into Gaza via Israel, both for international November 2013 sector-led investment initiative originally launched by them in early 2013. The main organisations and the private sector, continued for the fifth The agreement established a new for-profit microfinance aspects of the initiative are summarised in a new report, entitled ‘Beyond Aid: week in a row.” The UN organisation also reported that “the Main reports A Palestinian Private Sector Initiative for Investment, Growth and Employment.’1 institution, ACAD Finance Co., which is expected to very limited quantities of available construction materials become functional by early 2014. The new company will are being sold in the local market at more than twice the The document identifies a number of investment opportunities and private focus on the provision of micro- and small-scale loans June 2013 prices, especially for cement and aggregates.”13 A recent study by the sector-led projects across five high-potential economic sectors: agriculture, and will act as an independent organisation. World Bank assesses the information technology & digital entrepreneurship, tourism, construction, and Construction is particularly relevant to economic activity in potential economic benefits energy. These were chosen as part of an assessment of over 20 economic Loans will promote sustainable development in rural Gaza. Interruptions to the flow of materials might result in poor sectors in terms of their potential for growth and job creation. Analysis carried of lifting restrictions on, and areas and Area C with the objective of reducing inequality, overall growth, since growth in the sector explained around 80% out with the support of The Portland Trust (which built on contributions from 14 obstacles to, Palestinian supporting micro and small entrepreneurs (in particular of total GDP growth in the Strip during Q1 2013. Construction international experts and over 250 Palestinian private sector stakeholders) also women and farmers) and creating sustainable jobs. In activities represented more than 27% of Gaza GDP in Q2 2013, investment in Area C. estimates that the projects defined for these five high-potential sectors could 15 the short term, ACAD Finance aims to finance over 25,000 up from 7% in Q2 2010 and around 20% in Q2 2011. add up to around $8bn in incremental GDP and create up to 160,000 direct jobs micro- and small-scale projects for a total amount of $43m. Palestine was ranked 138th and around 230,000 indirect jobs by 2030. Products offered by ACAD Finance will include group October Trading News out of 189 economies in the loans, micro and small individual loans and consumption The Portland Trust’s Chairman, Sir Ronald Cohen, said: “The Palestinian In October the Al-Quds index increased by 1.9%, reaching 2014 edition of The World loans. Loans will range between $500 and $8,000 and will economy offers attractive growth prospects and this powerful private sector its lowest (471.20 points) and highest (479.13) levels on have a repayment period of six to 36 months (depending Bank’s ‘Doing Business’. initiative identifies specific business opportunities worthy of both domestic and the first (1 October) and last (31 October) days of trading, on the size of the loan). Interest rates will depend on the This represents a relative international investors.” respectively. A total of 6.8m shares worth $10.4m were amount of loan and are expected to be higher than rates drop of two positions with traded in 18 sessions. Market capitalisation was $2.9bn. offered by banks (and comparable to the rates offered by respect to the previous year. Questioned about the motivation of the private sector to put together the initiative, Samir Hulileh, CEO of PADICO Holding and one of the members of the other microfinance institutions). In related news, during Q3 2013 companies listed on Coordinating Committee overseeing its implementation, told the Bulletin “In a the Palestine Exchange (PEX) jointly achieved total net In 2012 Palestine’s context of economic stagnation and persistent high unemployment, Palestinian profits after tax of $188.7m, almost 30% more than in the Construction activities in Gaza International Investment businesses cannot sit idle. We have come together to take greater responsibility equivalent quarter of 2012.16 77% of all listed companies The closure of Gazan trade tunnels by Egypt is negatively Position (defined as external for, and command of, our economic future by defining a long-term vision and were profitable in Q3 2013, up from 65% in Q3 2012. impacting construction activities in the Strip. It is estimated assets minus foreign creating a practical plan of action.” that the almost total interruption of tunnel trade following the liabilities) decreased by a destruction of almost 90% of all tunnels represents a total 11 www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_ The original Coordinating Committee which launched the initiative also quarter with respect to the monthly loss of around $230m to the Gaza economy.10 report_2013_10_31_english.pdf included business leaders Ammar Aker (Paltel Group), Bashar Masri (Massar 12 www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.556464 previous year. 13 www.ldf.ps/documentsShow.aspx?ATT_ID=7862 International), Dr Mohammad Mustafa (Deputy Prime Minister for Economic 14 www.pcbs.gov.ps/portals/_pcbs/PressRelease/Press_En_NatAccQ12013E.pdf Affairs and CEO of Palestine Investment Fund), and Hashim Shawa (Bank of 9 www.europa.eu/rapid/press-release_BEI-13-135_en.htm 15 www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/GDP-Contribution%202009- In October 2013 the overall 10 www.english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/84969/Business/Economy/ 2013E.htm Palestine), as well as the economist and researcher Dr Samir Abdullah (Palestine Tunnel-closure-costs-Gaza--million-monthly-Officia.aspx 16 www.pex.ps/PSEWebSite/NEWS/061120133.docx Consumer Price Index (CPI) Economic Policy Research Institute - MAS). More recently, other local and marked a year-on-year diaspora business figures have joined the Committee and initial sector working increase of 1.9%. groups have been established. Looking forward, Hashim Shawa emphasised that “Beyond Aid is an initiative The Arab Center for in motion; therefore we expect projects to be enhanced and added as we Agricultural Development, progress. We hope we can continue to expand engagement in this plan of The Palestinian Economic Bulletin is prepared by the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) and edited by The a Palestinian microfinance action, which we aim to drive together with colleagues across the wider private Portland Trust. Please send any comments, suggestions, or complaints to [email protected] institution, signed a $5.3m sector, the public sector, civil society and the Palestinian diaspora.” Dr Samir equity agreement with a Abdullah considered that “Coordinated action by the private sector will support © 2013 The Portland Trust both the international and PA efforts to resume strong private sector-led growth, Printed for The Portland Trust in Ramallah by Al Nasher Advertising and PR number of European partners. 1 www.portlandtrust.org/publications Page 4/4 Page 1/4 the most feasible avenue to alleviate unemployment and in value added per year if the building of tourist complexes year), which can take up to 43 days (down from 45 in 2013 Table 1: IIP in 2011 and 2012 poverty. As such, the initiative fosters the steadfastness is permitted in the Dead Sea area. By connecting Areas and 106 in 2005). Notably, the paid-in minimum capital 2011 2012 % Change of the Palestinian people, and creates a more conducive A and B, Area C also offers suitable locations for the required to start a business in Palestine was eliminated (it International Investment Position $721m $532m -26.2% environment for the peace process.” installation of 3G towers. If allowed, this could contribute was over 200% of income per capita in 2013), in line with Total External Assets $5,233m $5,262m +0.6% $48m in the telecommunications sector (around 0.5% of practices observed in Israel, Egypt and Jordan. FDI Abroad $192m $232m +20.8% Portfolio Investments Abroad $1,147m $1,030m -10.2% GDP). World Bank Report on Area C The cost of starting a business, including registration fees Other Investments Abroad $3,397m $3,336m -1.8% Currency and Deposits $3,326m $3,234m -2.8% A recent study by The World Bank assesses the potential Significant indirect benefits are also expected from (e.g.